The Accessible Resources Pilot Project

Independent use of technology and accessible e-texts.

E.A. DraffanUniversity of Southampton

Funding DCSF 2009/2010

Project Objectives

To make a real difference to the learning and lives of students with print impairment by providing direct access to curriculum materials

Some Issues of the Day Lack of access to learning materials same time

as other students Lack of support for e-text in schools, colleges

and universities Technology helpful but not always available. Lack of independence for print impaired

students

1 in 8

Accessible Digital Information Priority Comments 1 Paper – typed notes 2 Scribble around them2 Paper – PowerPoint slides 5 Scribble around them3 Electronic notes (MS word) Word docs because I can change them 4 Electronic notes (pdf file) 4 PDF are difficult to change – can’t alter the style

5 Electronic PowerPoint slides 3 Clear points – not too cluttered 6 Electronic PowerPoint slides

with embedded video 2 I like videos

7 Electronic PowerPoint slides with narration, embedded questions and explanations

1 Impatica is brilliant.

8 Podcasts – audio only 1 Keep them short and clear with text

9 Podcasts – audio and video 1 Videos are best10 On line ‘static’ sites e.g. image

banks, journal articles4 These are OK

11 On line ‘collaborative’ sites e.g. Wikipedia

3 I love Wikipedia

Access to Curriculum Materials – e-texts?

e-Book platform accessibility: JISC TechDis bridge model.

Lack of Accessible textbooks

Making the Difference…• Overcoming some of the barriers to learning

• Independence through “Personal choice when interacting with supportive resources”

Access to appropriate technology

Pupil centric

Access to individualised support

Staff time and training

Supporting TeamExperts in software for accessibility, support and training, Specialist Producers, Study Skills and Support Tutors

Liaison with external organisations and Local Authorities

Publisher PDF files

MS Word(intermediate format)

Students via VLE

Convert to preferred formatLarge print, Talking Book,

MP3 or Braille

Pupil reads curriculum materials

in preferred format

Curriculum

materials

Students

Project Framework

Specialist Producers convert

complex files onlyOCR files (if publisher files not

available)

DecisionsNot mutually exclusive!

Tools used by students

Microsoft Word documentsAccess softwareAlternative format softwarePlayback hardware / software

Tools• Create&Convert – JISC RSC Scotland SE

• TAMC from Techadapt – http://accessiblemediacenter.techadapt.com/download/index.html

• Save as Daisy and Pipeline – Office 2010 – Daisy Consortium

• iPhone and iPad options – apps for playing Daisy files e.g. InDaisy (£11.49) and Vod Lite (free and £15.49)

Teacher and Teaching Assistants’ Comments

Thank you E.A. DraffanECS, University of Southampton. E-mail: ead@ecs.soton.ac.ukwww.access.ecs.soton.ac.uk

Slides available at:

More information available at www.mytextbook.org